THE PHILIPPINE Barakos blasted Indonesia, 12-2, to sweep the eliminations of the Pony Bronco-11 Championships in Singapore late Friday.
Diminutive Atong Natanauan played big again for the Filipino clouters, pitching a no-hitter while going four-of-four at bat in a virtual repeat of his scintillating performance against Russia, which they trampled, 20-0, last Thursday.
But last year’s Mustang Championship MVP is expected to have his hands full in the finals, also against the Indonesians, who opted to keep their three pitchers from their eliminations match, according to national coaches Ruben Angeles and Romar Landicho.
The Barakos remain confident of their chances in the title playoff with the Indonesians that will reward the winner a berth in the Pony Bronco-11 World Series set July 25-31 in Chesterfield, Virginia, as the Asia Pacific Zone representative.
But the Philippine Razcals failed to reach the finals of the Pony International Asia Pacific Zone Mustang (9-10 years) championship after yielding to Indonesia, 7-8, according to a report from Philippine Tot Baseball president Boy Tingzon.
The Razcals earlier split their doubleheader assignment Thursday, beating Vietnam, 21-0, but losing to Singapore, 5-11.